What is LOFT?

LOFT is a leadership program for high school students who are deaf and hard of hearing and use listening and spoken language as their primary mode of communication. This four-day sleepaway experience is designed for teens who want to develop or strengthen skills in individual leadership, teamwork, group dynamics, public speaking, and self-advocacy. The LOFT program provides a supportive and structured environment in which participants increase self-confidence and understanding of their own strengths and abilities through activities designed to challenge them. LOFT builds connections, respect and camaraderie among teens who share a common bond. This is a great opportunity for high school and college-bound teens interested in an enlightening and confidence-building experience away from home with their peers.

Activities and sessions build on each other over the course of the program, integrating the overall outcomes, including:

  • A heightened sense of self-acceptance, self-worth and self-confidence

  • A deeper understanding of the capacity for leadership skills that each teen has within himself/herself

  • An experiential understanding of team dynamics, individual skill sets and collaboration for common purpose

  • Increased confidence and ability for self-advocacy in social, travel and educational settings

LOFT counselors are AG Bell members who are adults living with hearing loss.

LOFT Photobook

LOFT participants will take home some great LOFT swag including a photobook featuring 20+ pages of high-quality, printed photos showcasing all your fun memories from your time at LOFT! Plus, your photobook cover will be customized to highlight you!

Sample Program Schedule

DAY 1

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.        Teens arrive – Facilitators/Staff meet teens at airport

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.        Casual Dinner and Icebreaker Activities

8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.     Unstructured social time or Organized Fun Activity

10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.   In-room Free Time

11:00 p.m.                        Lights Out

 

DAY 2

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 am      Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – Noon          Leadership Exercise

Noon – 1:00 p.m.          Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.    Debate Activity Technology Session

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.     Dinner & Free Time

6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.   Team-building or Social Group Activity

10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.  In-room Free Time

11:00 p.m.                       Lights Out

 

DAY 3

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.        Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – Noon        Group Activity

Noon – 1:00 p.m.        Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.        Self Advocacy Part 1

5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.     Team-building or Social Group Activity

10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.   In-room Free Time

11:00 p.m.                     Lights Out

 

DAY 4

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.  Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – Noon        Group Activity

Noon – 1:00 p.m.         Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Self Advocacy, Part 2: Appreciation Exercise

 

 

5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.        Reception and Dinner

8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.     Write Thank You notes to Sponsors and Guest Presenters

10:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.   In-room Free Time

11:00 p.m.                    Lights Out

 

DAY 5

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.    Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Graduation

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Travel to airport

1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.   Teens travel home – facilitators/staff accompany

teens to airport

*May not be indicative of finalized schedule.